William D. Van Damme, 85, passed away peacefully on Mon., Aug. 22, 2011.

He was born Apr. 26, 1926 in Eksaarde, East Flanders Province, Belgium to Caesar and Margaret (Haeck) Van Damme. The family moved to Superior, Wis. when Bill was an infant and they resided in the Allouez neighborhood.

Bill attended the former St. Anthony Elementary School and the former East High School. He was an Army veteran of World War II with the Sixth Infantry Division in Luzon, Philippine Islands. He was a Platoon Sergeant receiving the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and Asiatic Pacific Operations Ribbons with battle stars.

He sailed the Great Lakes and also had worked for the former Great Northern Railroad. He later became a plumber with Stack Bros. Mechanical Contractors. Most recently he was the proprietor and Master Plumber of Van Damme Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Bill was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church, Belgian Club, Ace Investment Club, Superior Elks Lodge No. 403, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a former member of the United Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors, the Western Lakes Superior Piping Industry and the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Union Local where he formerly served as President.

Bill is survived by his children, Diane "Tink" (Maurice) Sharrow and William F. "Skip" (Lori) Van Damme of Superior and Mary Jill (Mark) Monaghan of Titusville, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Derek, Stephannie, Hally, Patrick, Nolan, Trent, Riley and Nina; one great-grandchild, Lucas; sisters, Virginia Moore and Lorraine La Joie; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Van Damme.

He was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Roseanne; sons, Dennis and Thomas; and a brother, Robert H. Van Damme.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 27th in Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St. An Elk Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by Bill's Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Daniel Dahlberg officiating. Committal prayers will take place at Calvary Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post No. 435.

Honorary pallbearers will be David Eibon, Verlyn Moore, Riley Monaghan, Patrick Sharrow and Derek, Nolan and Trent Van Damme.

Family and friends are invited to a reception to be held at Ace's on 29th St., Superior, from 1-3:00 p.m. following the services.

Should friends desire, memorials in Bill's name may be directed to St. Francis Church, Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center or Special Olympics of Douglas County.